Business News

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Chamber News, April 2008
by Lisa Bell
The following items were discussed at the April 7, 2008, Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce meeting:

The Handyman is the April Business of the Month.
April Yard of the Month winner is George and Sara Broadwell, with honorable mention going to Keith and Peggy Richey.
The renovation on the Chamber building is still progressing. Issues with rain water draining under the canopy needs to be addressed.
The two buildings on the corner of Cox Ave. and Savannah St. have been taken down.
A possible mural on the back of the police station was discussed.
The Covington building (the old Tasco plant) is going to be a fabric distribution site. The intention is to begin shipping by the end of April. No more applications are being accepted.
The Sanctuary is planning on holding another land sale; the tentative date is in May.
The Save CFHS fund is at $8102.09, with $1685 deposited this quarter. The application fee for the charter was $1500. The application has been sent in. The normal process of acceptance takes 30 to 90 days.
The plans are progressing with the Sportsman festival.
The Chamber of Commerce will hold downtown festivities on the evening of May 16.
The next Chamber meeting is May 5 at 6:00.

Chamber News, March 2008
by Lisa Bell
The discussion for the March 3, 2008, Chamber of Commerce meeting included:

Sept 19-21: Campground Cook-off at Calhoun Falls State Park. Participants required to stay at Park. Sponsored by Old 96 Tourism Board. Entries for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Some TV chef personalities will serve as judges. Website up by March 15: www.campgroundcookoff.com
October 4: Fall Festival.
Save CFHS: Working with the Old School Reunion Committee, the Chamber raised $1,150 for the Save CFHS fund. The fund totals $9233.98. Wilkes County has donated 40 sets of football pads, and is planning to donate some weight equipment. Elberton and Lexington Counties have also pledged support. The Booster Club is sponsoring a golf tournament. Sponsorship is $25 for a half hole and $50 for an entire hole.
Business of the Month: Lisa Bell Photography.
The Chamber Building downtown is still being renovated, with tremendous progress made. The Chamber authorized $2500 for further improvements. Mohawk has donated carpet.
The Streetscape Project is still working to get on schedule; there have been problems with utility work.
A limited number (3-4) of sets of Loonies are going to be auctioned off at the grand opening of the Chamber building.
A crappie tournament is under discussion.

Streetscape Project Begins

The $500,000 streetscape of Cox Avenue has begun as sidewalks are being removed. In addition, the former Knights Karate building at the corner of Cox and Savannah will be demolished soon by the owner, and the work on the new Chamber of Commerce office and meeting room in the former gas station beside the police station is progressing. Much of the work and materials are being donated for the Chamber office.

Pictured is Blake Rodriguez, seventh grade middle school student of Calhoun Falls, shadowing his dad, Mario, a worker with Ted Martin Construction Company on the streetscape project. (Photo by Sherlyn York)

Chamber News, February 2008
by Lisa Bell
The discussion for the February Chamber of Commerce meeting included:

A possible camping cook-off contest at the Calhoun Falls State Park in the Fall. The contest would be open to the public. The Old Ninety Six tourism board is still exploring the opportunity, and will announce details later.
The Chamber is still investigating holding a Crappie Fishing Tournament in the area, and are currently looking for financing options.
The Streetscape project is progressing. Permits, traffic plans, and drainage plans are now being sought. The committee has looked at various street light options.
The remodeling of the Chamber building on the corner of Cox Avenue is underway.
Bids are being sought for possible demolition of the building across from the Chamber building.
US Lands plans to have another land sell in March.
A committee has been formed to decide on how to sell the Loonies from the Calhoun Falls Mill.

Chamber News, January 2008
by Lisa Bell
The Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce met January 7, and reviewed events from the end of 2007 and began making plans for 2008.

Positive reports from both the Outdoors Sportsman Festival in November and the Christmas Parade.
A 2008 Calendar of Events was presented, and included:

May 16 - Music program on Cox Ave, 6:30-11 p.m.
July 3 - Music program at Blue Hole Recreation Area, 7-11 p.m.
September 6 - End of Summer music program and Car Display on Cox Ave, 6-11 p.m.
October 4 - 2nd Annual Outdoor Sportsman Festival
November 16 - 3rd Annual Turkey Trot 5k and food drive
December 9 - Tree Lighting, 6 p.m.
December 5 12th, 19th - Santa House, 5:30-7 p.m.
December 13 - Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.

Joyce's Beauty Salon on Hwy 81 was selected as business of the month.
The Chamber is looking into new events for the new year to attract visitors to the town. Two mentioned were a Crappie Fishing Tournament, possibly slated for Spring, and a workshop event through the Old Ninety Six District held at the park to introduce people to the area.
The Chamber will be contacting the SC Bar Association to ask for an attorney to come and hold a discussion on various topics, possibly including school laws.
Town and Country from Greenwood won the bid for the downtown Streetscape project. The construction is scheduled to begin this month. There was brief discussion about the addition of a electronic sign to display events, and is something that will be looked into. The Chamber's building downtown is still being renovated, and is on track.

Nick's Fireworks

by Jeff Sorrow
Hundreds were on hand for the annual New Years fireworks display in Calhoun Falls. The Evans family has been ringing in the new year for years. The annual fireworks display was started by Danny Evans many years ago. When Danny passed away, both of his sons, Cray and Nick carried on their fathers legacy. Since Nick's untimely passing over a year ago, Cray has been left to continue the event. Nicks Fireworks, as it is known now, has been in operation in Calhoun Falls in one form or another for over 30 years. The annual event stops traffic and draws hundreds of spectators each year and is matched only by the display the family puts on each 4th of July.

Rezoning in Lowndesville
Hundreds of acres have been zoned residential from forest/agricultural near Lake Russell in Lowndesville. Abbeville County Council recently approved the residential zoning of 589 acres at Horse Shoe Road off Highway 81.

Water Discussed at Banquet
Abbeville County Administrator Scott Moulder said during the Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce banquet Tuesday, October 2, 2007, that a county-wide water system is included in his long range plan. Answering questions from the audience, he said that Calhoun Falls' 40-year water contract with Abbeville may provide an out clause, although costly. He said he doesn't know the details of the contract, but he said the water quality should at least match what is stated in the contract.

Also included in the long-range plan: converting Winn-Dixie in Abbeville to county offices, a capital improvement plan, and an opt-in telephone notification system for residents.

Outdoor Sportsman's Festival
Plans are in the works for an Outdoor Sportsman's Festival to be held on Saturday, November 17, 2007, at Calhoun Falls High School. The Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring it as well as the 5K Turkey Trot and Food Drive on Sunday, November 18, at the State Park. Organizers of the Sportsman's Festival are planning to offer exhibitions of the latest outdoor activites and equipment from area vendors and natural resource information from government and non-profit organizations, along with food and door prizes. The entire weekend is intended to promote tourism and provide fun, family entertainment.